10 replies to this topic

[minicooperr]

What size should the fuel hose be at the back of the car, I have some 1/2 stuff but really struggling to get it on the tank, is this the right stuff before I take the tank out? 

 

[sonscar]

It might depend on what car you have.Steve..

[minicooperr]

It might depend on what car you have.Steve..

 

Its a tank from a 1981 car 

[mini-mad-mark]

Sounds like you are talking about the outside diameter when you say 1/2"  - hoses/tubes are usually measured by their inside diameter as they usually fit on to a pipe of a specific outside diameter.

 

If I recall correctly the outlet on a standard tank is 5/16" which is pretty much 8mm (yes I know its not he same exactly - 7.8mm) however the fuel line under the mini (non fuel injected) is typically 1/4" so you usually have to force a 1/4" ID hose over the tank outlet (not easy with the tank in situ) If you use 5/16" (or 8mm) hose it will be too loose on the pipe under the car.

 

This gets worse as 1/4" is about 6.3mm so people will sell 6mm hose as 1/4" but it will be tight on a 1/4" OD pipe (but will fit)

 

 

Your 1/2" OD pipe may well be 1/4" bore and it will be tight on the tank outlet and even more so if you have 6mm ID size

[minicooperr]

Sounds like you are talking about the outside diameter when you say 1/2"  - hoses/tubes are usually measured by their inside diameter as they usually fit on to a pipe of a specific outside diameter.

 

If I recall correctly the outlet on a standard tank is 5/16" which is pretty much 8mm (yes I know its not he same exactly - 7.8mm) however the fuel line under the mini (non fuel injected) is typically 1/4" so you usually have to force a 1/4" ID hose over the tank outlet (not easy with the tank in situ) If you use 5/16" (or 8mm) hose it will be too loose on the pipe under the car.

 

This gets worse as 1/4" is about 6.3mm so people will sell 6mm hose as 1/4" but it will be tight on a 1/4" OD pipe (but will fit)

 

 

Your 1/2" OD pipe may well be 1/4" bore and it will be tight on the tank outlet and even more so if you have 6mm ID size

 

Sorry yes this was my mistake it is a 1/4 6.3mm hose not 1/2, so is it normal procedure just to force on the 1/4 hose to the tank or is there a better solution? 

[mab01uk]

Maybe try warming the pipe end with very hot water or a hairdryer and make sure the pipe is suitable for and resistant to modern fuels.

[minicooperr]

Maybe try warming the pipe end with very hot water or a hairdryer and make sure the pipe is suitable for and resistant to modern fuels.

It is good quality hose but I am concerned that forcing it on is not the correct thing to do in this scenario if it is the incorrect size, would rather do it correctly and safely when it comes to the fuel system

[mini-mad-mark]

 

Maybe try warming the pipe end with very hot water or a hairdryer and make sure the pipe is suitable for and resistant to modern fuels.

It is good quality hose but I am concerned that forcing it on is not the correct thing to do in this scenario if it is the incorrect size, would rather do it correctly and safely when it comes to the fuel system

 

MAB is correct; warming the end will allow it to fit one size bigger (i/e 1/4" onto 5/16") but it will be pretty tight, no bad thing, and as mentioned it is more difficult to do with the tank in situ but do-able

 

Be careful warming the hose with any heat source next to the tank.....(fumes!) except hot water, the nearer to boiling the better in my experience

 

 

As an aside, once you get the hose onto the tank, if you ever have to remove the tank, release the hose underneath where it goes onto the pipe under the car (which lets you drain the tank) and then pull the tank and hose out complete rather than trying to remove it from the tank as it will be very tight once it cools and it also stiffens a bit with age making it quite difficult to get off the tank

[68+86auto]

Do you have an electric pump on the subframe? if so most SU ones have a 5/16 fitting so you could use 5/16 from the tank to pump and then force a 1/4 hose onto the outlet to go to the pipe.

[GraemeC]

You could use 5/16" hose on the tank and then a reducer to adapt it to 1/4":

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

However the methods described above are most common and really don't pose a problem.  As mentioned, the best way to soften the hose is to let the end sit in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes or so.

[minicooperr]

Hot water worked, thanks everybody